NAFAS

 

In 1959, flower arranging clubs and societies joined together, and with the support of the RHS, formed the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies,  (NAFAS).  NAFAS is a charity, and is made up of over 65,000 members. 

 

NAFAS is the only National organisation pursuing the art of flower arranging.  The activities of the Association include encouraging the love of flowers, advancing education in flower arranging, and instructing, training, and accrediting judges, demonstrators, speakers and teachers.  NAFAS is made up of Areas.  The country is divided into 21 Areas, and sub-divided into Groups.  Our Club is affiliated to the East of England Area of NAFAS and we are part of the Colchester Group. 

 

ABOUT THE AREA

 

Of the 21 Areas affiliated to NAFAS, the East of England Area is the largest.  The area has 108  clubs with a current membership totalling approximately 6,500. 

East of England Area covers approximately 7,000 sq miles with Flower Clubs from Boston in the North Down, around the coast to Burnham-on-Crouch, inland to Chelmsford, and then sweeping up to Bishop’s Stortford and  Huntingdon.  

In 1950 the second Flower Club in Britain was formed, in Colchester, and by 1952 the interest in flower arranging was escalating at a great pace and as a result more Flower Clubs sprang up. Then in 1954 Mrs Jocelyn Steward from Norwich together with some other like-minded ladies , had the inspiration to form an Association. This was known as the East of England Association of Flower Clubs and Societies.

The Area has, over the years, arranged flowers in many prestigious places throughout the region, such as the Cathedrals in Bury St Edmunds, Chelmsford, Ely and the two in Norwich as well as in Ditchingham  Hall and Euston Hall. Further afield members have been involved in exhibits at Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace, Harrogate Spring Gardening Show, RHS Chelsea Flower Show and many other RHS Shows.

 

THE GROUPS

 

In 1958 the decision to divide the Area into Groups was instigated, mainly due to the size of the Area and the cost of travel. It was felt that this would aid communication and so the following 5 groups were formed:

Cambridge, Colchester, East Suffolk, King’s Lynn and Norwich.

Clubs that are within the vicinity of these centres are automatically members of the corresponding Group; the Groups have their own committee’s and hold Group meetings when the business of the Area is passed on to all their clubs.

In addition the Groups hold workshops, demonstrations and competitions and any member of a Club in that Group is eligible to attend, if places permit.

 

As well as the usual local monthly Club meetings NAFAS offers an annual National Show and Members’ Assembly which are detailed in our Club Newsletter. 

 

Trading products, including books and educational booklets are available through the Area Trading Officers, telephone number 020 7377 2525 or via the on-line shop on the NAFAS web site: www.nafas.org.uk